White House National Economic Council Director to Address Bank CEOs at ABA’s Annual Convention

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​WASHINGTON — Gary Cohn, director of the president’s National Economic Council, leads the list of keynote speakers that are expected to address bank CEOs at the American Bankers Association’s Annual Convention, Oct. 15-17 in Chicago. This year’s event, held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, will highlight new developments and trends in banking, solutions to challenges affecting banks of all sizes and innovative strategies to help bankers best serve their customers and communities.

ABA president and CEO Rob Nichols will moderate a conversation with Cohn on October 16th. The two will discuss a range of issues including financial regulatory reform, tax reform and the nation’s economic outlook. In addition to Cohn, bankers will hear from General Michael Hayden (Ret.), former director of both the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency; Tom Ricketts, executive chairman of the Chicago Cubs; Geena Davis, Academy Award-winning actor and founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media; and Marcus Lemonis, host of CNBC’s "The Profit" and chairman and CEO of Camping World and Good Sam Enterprises.

“As the nature of our business changes, it is critical for bankers to stay ahead of trends that will help them better serve their customers and communities,” said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. “This year’s convention will explore strategies that help banks of all sizes attract and retain key talent, establish successful fintech partnerships and best navigate through today’s political climate.”

During the convention, bankers will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of sessions examining trends in banking. Featured topics include:

Sheltered Harbor: Overcoming Operational Incapacity;

Integrating Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Audit;

Surmounting Barriers Between the Core and Fintech Partnerships;

Creating a Culture of Innovation; and

Banking Soars into the Cloud.

As part of the convention, ABA will host a community development tour in Chicago’s Woodlawn and Englewood neighborhoods. The tour, hosted alongside the Community Investment Corporation, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation Chicago and the Federal Home Loan Banks, will showcase the positive changes made in these neighborhoods as a result of bank investment and community partnerships in close coordination with the city. ABA president and CEO Rob Nichols will join bankers from across the country as they see first-hand how innovative economic development has helped revitalize these neighborhoods while fostering economic growth and employment opportunities.

The American Bankers Association is the voice of the nation’s $17 trillion banking industry, which is composed of small, regional and large banks that together employ more than 2 million people, safeguard $13 trillion in deposits and extend more than $9 trillion in loans.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Complimentary registration is offered to members of the news media. Press credentials are required. To pre-register, contact Jeff Sigmund at (202) 663-5439 or jsigmund@aba.com